5 simple tips for cutting down your plastic waste

According to the World Wildlife Foundation, each Australian uses 130 kilograms of plastic with 130,000 tonnes ending up in the ocean – choking our waterways and devastating local ecosystems. If that wasn’t bad enough, we’re only recycling 9 per cent of the plastic we use.

On top of this, partially disintegrated plastic (called microplastic) finds its way into our food sources and, eventually, onto our plates. A recent study found that Australians are ingesting up to 250 grams of plastic a year – that’s around 50 credit cards’ worth.

The health consequences of ingesting microplastics are wide-ranging, and have been linked with cancer, hearing loss, nervous system damage, hormonal disruption and reproductive problems.

The good news is that small changes can make a big difference. When Australian supermarkets started phasing out single-use plastic bags in 2018, the National Retail Association estimated they prevented a staggering 1.5 billion bags from being introduced into the environment.

More recently, the government has started taking steps to phase out more single-use plastic items – including plastic cutlery, straws and polystyrene food containers – by 2025. But that doesn’t mean you can’t start minimising your use of these problematic materials today.

Here are five simple ideas that can help you reduce the amount of plastic you use in your daily life.

If you’re a #mealprep type with a freezer full of well-organised meals, there’s a good chance you’ve got an abundance of zip-lock bags stashed somewhere. If you want to part ways with plastic, consider investing in a set of silicone food storage bags instead. They’re microwave, freezer and dishwasher friendly and – most importantly – reusable. Just make sure they’re manufactured with food-grade silicon.

If you need to pack food on the go, a stainless-steel lunch box is a great option. Steel doesn’t stain or trap odours and will withstand years of daily use.

Single-use cling wrap can’t be recycled. An alternative you’ve probably already got in your kitchen is aluminium foil, which is recyclable when scrunched into a shape larger than a golf ball (sorting machines can’t detect smaller scraps).

Beyond this, beeswax wraps are great for sealing open containers. They’re widely available to purchase or, if you’re feeling crafty, you can make them yourself by treating cotton with cosmetic-grade beeswax. When cared for properly, a single wrap should last for a year. When it’s time to replace them, you can safely compost the older wraps – a much more environmentally friendly approach to disposal.

Beeswax wraps may even be superior to plastic when it comes to safe food storage. Studies have shown that propolis – produced by bees and found in beeswax – has antimicrobial properties, acting as a natural barrier that shields its contents from food-borne bacterial pathogens.

Australians love coffee. So much so, we collectively use 1 billion takeaway cups per year. And while you may think these paper cups are recyclable, unfortunately, they’re often lined with a thin plastic film that isn‘t biodegradable. If cafe coffee is an essential part of your routine, consider allowing enough time to sit down and enjoy the experience. You may even find that taking 15 minutes out of your day to sit with a cup of joe is a powerful self-care ritual.

Alternatively, if you’ve got to get your caffeine fix on the go, BYO reusable cup to lessen your environmental impact. 

Most products you’ll use to keep your home spick and span come in single-use packaging. To cut down on your plastic consumption, you can try making your own cleaning products and storing them in reusable bottles.

A quarter cup of baking soda mixed with half a cup of vinegar and two litres of warm water makes a great all-purpose cleaner. If you need disinfectant, mix a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in a reusable spray bottle filled with warm water (pro tip: add your favourite essential oils for a fresh scent). As for cleaning clothes, you can make washing detergent by mixing two parts of washing soda and borax with one part soap flakes (purchased flaked or grated from a bar of castile soap).

If the idea of DIY-ing is too daunting, you can often find cleaning products ready to be packed into your own containers at eco-stores and bulk food retailers.

You know how you end up finding sparkly flecks for days after you’ve handled glitter? Well, it turns out the same phenomenon occurs in the environment. In pre-packaged form, glitter won’t break down naturally and will inevitably find its way into the wider world. While it might seem insignificant, it’s a textbook example of a microplastic.

If you can’t forgo a touch of glamour, don’t despair. Many companies are now manufacturing eco-friendly glitter made from plants. These alternatives are available for both makeup and craft applications. Just double-check the manufacturer’s website to be certain you’re not introducing more plastic to the environment.

Staff writers come from a range of backgrounds including health, wellbeing, music, tech, culture and the arts. They spend their time researching the latest data and trends in the health market to deliver up-to-date information, helping everyday Australians live healthier lives. This is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances. The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.

Disclaimer:
This is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a financial adviser, or medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.